Lighting control system



April 18, 1944. A. c. wuLLscHLE-GER 29345589 LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM Filed May 18, 1942 ihn/umm Patented Apr. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHTING comer. srsrnu Arthur C. Wullschleger, Wichita, Inns` Application May 1s, 1942, serai No. 44a-,tzt

a claims. icl. 177-353) This invention relates to a lighting controli system and more particularly to a remote control system for extinguishing lights or other sources of energy by remote control from a central location such as a specially controlled radio transmitter.

Itis the object of the present invention to providev a remotely controlled relay system for extinguishing lights from a central station such as a radio transmitter. It is the aim of the invention to provide a remotely controlled unit for use in such a system which is compact and rugged and virtually fool-proof.'

It is a further object of the invention to provide a unit for extinguishing lighting systems in the courseof blackouts which is flexible in operation and which may be selectively set to enable a manual control of the lights to turn the same on and oil', a selective setting of the system to permit the lights only to be turned oil by wireless control requiring a manual reenergization thereof, or alternatively to permit the lights to be turned off and on successively by the wireless control Without the interposition of any manual control.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a remotely controlled unit which may be operated from a conventional radio receiver to extinguish lighting systems on the occasions of desired blackouts. Any faulty operation of the radio receiver which woultL cause the failure of the desired control is easily perceptible to induce the taking of the necessary steps to eliminate such faults. The control unit is capable of conn venient testing' to determine the effectiveness thereof and its tuning to the desired frequency.

Other objects and purposes will appear from the following detailed description of the invention following hereinafter taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing is shown electric supply mains I and 2 for energizing a conventional lighting system which may be plugged in at the outlet receptacle 3. 'I'he supply system may be any conventional commercial 110 volt alternating current distribution system. The invention seeks to provide for the deenergization of the lights connected-to the outlet receptacle 3 upon the occurrence of conditions requiring an extinguishment thereof. This ,control is exercised from a radio transmitter operating on a predetermined frequency to which a radio receiver and switches in predetermined order and sequence to break the electric supply circuit comprising the mains I and 2 which are ccn-y nected to the outlet plug 3 and which in turn feeds the lighting system connected thereto.

The power supply or power pack of the radio receiver B includes in the circuit thereof a coil Ill; this coil leading to the terminals B' may be connected in the plate supply conductor for the radio receiver R. Relay HI controls an armature II and contacter I2 to bridge the connection across terminals I3 and I4 when the relay It is energized and to-complete the circuit of the supply mains I and 2 and the outlet plug 3. The receiver must be in operation to complete this circuit across terminals I3 and I4 and furthermore the receiver must be in good working order, otherwise the circuit at this point will be broken, giving notice that some elements of the radio receiver must be repaired or replaced, such as condensers, rheostats, faulty tubes and the like. Another relay 20 is connected to the output transformer T of the radio receiver at terminals T. This coil may be disposed in the output circuit of the radio receiver in lieu of the loud-speaker coil. This relay controls an armature2i and contactor 22 which bridges the terminals 23 and 2t of the control system. This relay operates intermittently in accordance with uctuations therein corresponding to those in the speaker coil which have no effect on the control system; but on such occasions when a remotely controlled blackout from the central transmitter is desired, a sustained note o pre1 determined characteristics is received by the radio receiver and this relay assumes the position shown in the drawing for a suflicient length of time to exercise the desired control, as ein plained in detail below.

The completion of the circuit to the lights conn nected tothe outlet plug 3 depends not only upon the bridging of the contact terminals i3 and Il by the auxiliary contactor i2, but also upon the closing of the main switch 34 in the main 2 at contact 34'. This switch is controlled by a main relay winding 30 disposed upon the central core 1I of a 11G volt A. C. solenoid having additional legs l2 and '13. A movable armature 3l is pivoted to the leg 13 and the tension thereof i5 adjusted by spring ll which controls the force tending to maintain the amature 3i displaced from the legs Ii and 'l2 and against which the` i'orce of attraction of the main relay winding 3c is tuned and which operates to energize relays I8 operates to cause a downward movement oi the 'chanicalmembers and switches connected therewith is such that the assembly operates similarly to a conventional chain pull switch which eiiects an alternate closing and opening of a circuit, with the armature each timel resuming its position shown in the drawing in preparedness for the next downward movement of armature 3l to throw the switches 34 and 35 into closed f position if they previously were open, or to throw them into open position if they previously were closed.

A manually operated switch 50 connected to the main I and cooperating with terminal 56 in line 5l is adapted to complete a circuit through the main relay coil 30 `to the main 2 through` conductors 52 and 54 to selectively and alternately open and close the main switch 34 to deenergize and energize the lighting system, assuming the circuit is completed across contacts I3 and I4. The control by switch 56 is effected by a. momentary depression thereof and the same may be in the form of a push-button switch.

In supplement to the above control exercised by the movement of the amature 3|, relay 2li is adapted to complete a circuit through the main relay 30 between the mains l and 2 upon the receipt of the proper signal from the central transmitting station which may be a policetransmitter, to maintain the contactor 22 in .raised position for a predetermined period of time. The Y intermittent energization of the contactor 2l and 22 by the normal variations of current in the coil 20 corresponding to ordinary broadcast reception or the receipt of static and interference completes a circuit from main l, contacts 23, 24, lines 66, 61, switch 35, terminal line 68, normally closed switch 51, line 32, time delay resistor 66 and through divided paths including relays 40 and 30 to the line 54 and main 2. However, the

resistance of element 60 is such that insulcient,

current flows through either of the circuits and 36 to energize these' relays to cause the actuation of the armatures controlled thereby. However, this current through element causes a heating thereof which affects a, bimetallic switch 6l in close proximity thereto to eventually cause a short circuiting of this resistor if the current is passing therethrough for a suicient length of time. This length of time may be adjusted to any limit from one second to three minutes and preferably is set for at least one minute; therefore the intermittent closing and opening of the circuit at contacts 23 and '24 is insufficient to energize the main relay 30 under normal conditions. However, upon the receipt of a sustained transmission through the radio receiver, emanating for example, from the police transmitter, the circuit outlined above remains closed at contacts 23 and 24 for at least the prolonged period of time, and the heating of the element 60 causes the bimetallic strip 6| to make contact at this free terminal 6l' with the cooperating terminal 6l in conductor 63 which serves to short ch cuit the resistor 60 and which operates to connect the main l through the circuit outlined above extend-n ing through switch 35 to the relay 40 running through conductor 63, relay 40, conductor 64, conductor 54 to line 2 and in parallel thereto through conductors 65, 53 and 52, main'relay 30, conductor 54 to line 2. The energization of relay 46 operates to lift armature 4l and contactor 42 to bridge terminals-43 and 44 to provide an-- other short circuit for resistor 60 through conductors 5 6 and 55 to the circuit-extending through .conductors 53,' 52 and '54. Thus, main relay 30 is operated at the end of the predetermined lapse of time to attract armature 3l and to open switches 34 and 35 if such, were previously closed. The action of relay 40 is so sluggish that the ,short-circuit across terminals 43 and 44 remains closed even though vresistor 60 cools o, which vmay be the case after four seconds, and opens the short-circuitcompleted by the strip 6i. Thus the circuit for energizing relay 3d is operative as long as relay 2li is energized for a sustained period of time such as one to two minutes. 'Of course, strip Si may close the short-circuit across resistor 6B after eight seconds or the like, and the operation thereof is intermittent without affecting the action of main relay 35.

A repeated energizatlon of the main relay 30 is necessary to re-close the circuit at the main switch 34 if it is desired to bring the lighting system into operation once again after the blackout is terminated. Of course, this control can be exercised jby a. momentary depression of the manual switch 50. 0n the other hand, if it is desired to provide for the re-closing of the lighting circuit by remote control, a conditioning switch 36 is connected across the switch 35. If the conditioning switch 36 is in open position, as shown in the drawing, then it exercises no eiect on the action of switch 35 and merely permits switch 35 to control the opening of' the circuit. However, when switch 36 is closed, it operates as a short circuit across switch'35 when the same is open, and a repeated signal from the central transmitting station for a predetermined length of time affects the time delay device 60 andthe circuits governed thereby to complete the circuit through the main relay 30 to effect a closing of the switches 34 and 35 after they have once been opened.

A neon lamp 4 may be connected directly across conductors 54 and 66 to `visibly indicate the reception of energy by the intermittent completion of the circuit across mains I and 2 through the bridging of terminals 23 and 24. If desired, this neon testing lamp may be plugged into an outlet receptable connected across these mains in much the same manner as the lighting system is connected to the outlet plug 3. When the system is tested and tuned in this manner, or for instantaneous operation, switch 51 is opened, and

serves to conveniently interrupt the circuit to the Afor said receiver.

ternately open and close said main switch, and control means for said main relay including an auxiliary contacter controlled byethe outputy of a radio receiver, and a second contacter controlled from the power supply for saidradio receiver adapted te open the circuit through said supply mains in response te failure of the energy supply 2. A lighting control system including electric supply mains with a light outlet therein, a main switch in one of said mains, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, con- A trol means for said main relay including a manually operated switch for` selectively connecting said main relay across said mains and an auxiliary contacter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, and a second contacter controlled from the power supply for said radio receiver adapted to open the circuit through said supply mains in response to failure of the energy supply for said receiver.

3. A lighting control system `including electric supply mains with a light outlet therein. a main switch in one of said mains, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, and control means for said main relay including a manually operated switch for selectively connecting said main relay across said mains, an auxiliary contacter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, and a time delay device in circuit with said auxiliary contacter to control the operation of said main relay in response to .a predetermined lapse of time of operation of said auxiliary centactor, a connection between the terminals ci said auxiliary contacter and said time delay device including a secondary switch adapted to loe operated conjointly with said main switch te connect said time delay device for operation in response to the reception of predetermined energ for a predetermined period hy said receiver, and a conditioning switch connected across said secondary switch to selectively set the control system for alternate deenergization and energization of the lighting system by the wireless control when the switch is closed or for deenergization only of the lighting system by the wireless control when the switch is open. l

4. A lighting control system including electric supply mains with a light outlet therein, a mam switch in one of said mains, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, and control means for said main relay including an auxiliary contacter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, and a time delay device nvcircuit with said auxiliary contacter to control the operation of said main relay in response to a predetermined lapse of time of operation of said auxiliary contacter, a connection between the terminals of said auxiliary contacter and said time delay device including a secondary switch adapted to be eperatedconjointly with said main switch to connect said time delay device kfor operation in yresponse to the reception of predetermined energy for a predetermined period by said receiver, and a conditioning switch connected across said secondary switch to selectively set the control system for alternate deenergization and energization of the lighting system by the wireless control when the switch is closed or for deenergization only of the lighting system by the wireless control when the switch is open.

' 5. A lighting control system including an electric circuit with a light outlet therein, a main switch in said circuit, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, controlwmeans for said main relay including an auxiliary con taeter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, a time delay device in circuit with 'said auxiliary contacter te control the operation of said main relay in response to a predetermined time of operation of said auxiliary contacter, and means for connecting said auxiliary contacter to said` time delay device to render said device operative by the operation of said auxiliary contacter 'from the output of the radio receiver both before and after the operation of said main switch to effect a continuous control oi the alternate opening and closing of said main switch by the radio receiver, said time delay device comprising e heating resistor and a loimctallic switch controlled thereby for short-clrcuiting said resistance and e. rela?! energized by the current permitted cy the shortn circuit to effect an additional short=circult around said heating resister.

6,. A lighting control system including an elec tric circuit with a light outlet therein, a 'main switch in said circuit, a main relay to alternately open and close said mein switch, control means for said main relay including an auxiilary con taeter controlled b3? the output or" a radio receiver a time delay device in circuit with said ai contacter to control the operation of said relay in response to a predetermined Ji operation oi said auxiliary contacter, means connecting sold auxiliary contacter to said time delay device to render said device oper the operation oi said contacter irer output or the radio receiver both before l tinuous controioi7 the alternate opening and closnl ing of said main switch hy the radio receiver, visual tuning indicator to determine operan tiveness oi the control system, and a disconnecting switch `between the 'time delay device and the circuit completed ny the auxiliary contacter for opening the time delay device during tests 'for proper tuning.

7. A lighting control system including an elec= tric circuit with a light outlet therein, main Y switch in said circuit, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, control means for said main relay including an auxiliary contacter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, a time delay device in circuit with said auxiliary contacter to control the operation of said main relay in response to a predetermined time of operation o! said auxiliary contacter, means for connecting said auxiliary contacter to said time delay device to render said device operative by the operation of said auxiliary contacter from the output of the radio receiver both before and after the operation of said main switch to effect a continuous control of the alternate opening and closing of said main switch by the radio receiver, an

auxiliary switch adapted to break said connecting means to exclude the control exercised by the radio receiver following the opening of the main switch, and a manually operated switch for completing a circuit through said main relay to close said main switch following the opening thereof and when said auxiliary switch is in circuit interrupting position in said connecting means.

8. A lighting control system including an electric circuit with a light outlet therein, a main switch in said circuit, a main relay to alternately open and close said main switch, control means for said main relay including an auxiliary contacter controlled by the output of a radio receiver, a time delay device in circuit with said auxiliary contacter to control the operation of said main circuiting said ysecondary switch to render said device operative even when the main switch and vsecondary switch are in circuit-interrupting position to eiect a continuous control of the alternate opening and closing of said main switch by the radio receiver.

f ARTHUR C. WULLSCHLEGER. 

